Writing Studies Major

Students in the Writing Studies major learn to write effectively in a range of genres and to think critically and creatively. Writing Studies prepares students to be verbally and visually literate in a manner that encourages their growth as learners, citizens and professionals. Students also receive a well-rounded liberal arts education in the sciences and the humanities.

Creative Writing Track

The creative writing track offers the opportunity for focused study of literary and popular forms of creative writing with supportive faculty who publish in these genres, and provides a strong base for students wishing to pursue a Master of Fine Arts. Our creative writing track takes a distinctive interdisciplinary approach to creative writing: students choose classes in more than one genre (poetry, nonfiction, and fiction), a wide-range of literature courses from multiple perspectives, as well as professional/technical writing courses that can prepare them for writing jobs in a variety of fields. In addition, the creative writing track reflects the curricular guidelines of the Association of Writing Programs (AWP), the national professional organization in creative writing.

Students can gain professional experience as editors and writers of Tahoma West, UW Tacoma's student-run literary and arts magazine, as well as the school newspaper, The Ledger. Students also have opportunities to engage in the vibrant literary community of the Puget Sound and are encouraged to apply for internships at local arts and publishing organizations.

Prerequisites

The following lower-division prerequisites will be necessary for declaring the Writing Studies major. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for each prerequisite course.

• TCORE 101 or TWRT 112: Introduction to Academic Writing
• TWRT 211: Academic Research and Argument

Career options

The major in Writing Studies provides students with solid skills for seeking employment involving writing, including careers in education, publishing, public relations, grant writing, and marketing. Currently there is a track in creative writing and in the future the major will expand to include other tracks.

Student learning outcomes

As a student in the Creative Writing track within the Writing Studies major, you are expected to:

• write effectively in a range of genres.
• think critically and creatively.
• be verbally and visually literate in a manner that encourages your growth as learners, citizens and professionals.
• acquire a well-rounded liberal arts education in the sciences and the humanities.
• acquire solid skills for seeking employment involvling writing, including careers in education, publishing, public relations, grant writing and marketing.
• acquire a strong base with which to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.
• be prepared for writing jobs in a variety of fields.
• use technology integral to a writing profession.